Block for building purposes



(ModeL) T. L. JOWETT.

BLOCK FOR BUILDING PURPOSES.

Patented A.pr.'15

INVENTOIR': 0X11 ATTORNEYS.

I linrrizn Srarns Parana @rrrcn.

THOMAS L. TO\VETT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

BLOCK FOR BUILDING PURPOSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 296,971, dated April 15, 1884:.

Application filed May 23, 1883. (LIodeL) To all whom it. may. concern:

Be it known that 1, Dreams L. J own'r'r, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Blocks for Building Purposes, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description.

- This invention consists in a block orblocks for building purposes of slab-like form constructed with a projection, tongue, or rib on their faces, substantially as hereinafter described, and whereby a bond is obtained for the blocks when cemented one with the other.

This projection, tongue, or rib is preferably arranged (excepting for the base or certain terminal blocks) to occupy a central position longitudinally with the block, whereby the same block may be reversed or utilized in different positions or places; and the invention furthermore consists in constructing the projections, tongues, or ribs of the blocks with reduced portions forming longitudinal shoulders, whereby the blocks are readily adjusted in line with each other, and ventilating or draining passages are formed within or between them. These blocks it is proposed to make of cement, concrete, terra-cotta, terra- ,cotta lumber, slag, or any suitable substance which is capable of being molded, but preferably a material, composition, or compound which is fireproof. They may either be of plain or ornamental finish on their faces, and be made either smooth or, when it is desired to facilitate the adhesion of plaster on them, be made to present roughened exteriors. Furthermore, said blocks,which may be of different lengths, widths, and thicknesses, according to the purposes for which they are designed to be used, may be made serviceable in the building of partition and other walls,floors, and roofs of different kinds, including flat, pitch, and Mansard roofs, all as hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 represents a view in perspective of a solid partition-wall in part built of blocks in accordance with my invention, and Figs. 2, 3, and 4c are perspective views of certain of the blocks used in said partition-wall detached.

[ Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of ahollow wall in part constructed with my improved blocks, and Figs. 6, 7, and S perspective views of certain of the blocks used in the construction of such a wall detached.

Referring in the first instance to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 of drawings, A B G are blocks suitable for and shown as applied to the construction of a partition or other solid wall; or the same might be used for other work. These blocks I prefer to make of terracotta or other fire-proof material capable of being molded. Said blocks are for the most part of slab-like form, and may be of any desired length, width, and thickness, including proj eetions, tongues, or ribs on their faces, which projections are of a depth equal to about onehalf the thickness of the bodies or slab portions of the blocks; or, in other words, the slab portions of the blocks are of about onehalf the thickness of thewall to be built, in order that the wall may present a flush surface 011 both sides of it. This is more clearly seen with reference to the blocks B andC, which constitute the main or general ones, and in which?) indicates theslabportions ofthe blocks, and c the projections, tongues, or ribs formed on their one side or face. These tongues or ribs' project to an extent which is equal to onehalf the thickness of the wall to be built, or

thereabout, and they are arranged to run longitudinally in the center of the blocks. Said tongues or ribs form an integral portion of the bodies or slab portions of the blocks.

The base-blocks A of the wall may be slightly different in construction that is to say, the projections c on their faces need not be in the center of them, and may onlybe made to form a single side junction with an upper ledge, or what maybe termed the slab portion Z of said blocks. These blocks Amay be of equal length; but the end blocks, 0, and intermediate main series of blocks, 13, should be of different lengths to each other, so that the sevoral blocks, when in place, will break joint with one another, as shown in Fig. 1.

or ribs 0 arranged to rest upon the upper edges of the slab portions of the base-blocks, after which all upper series or tiers of the blocks B opposite blocks-that is, the blocks which immediately face them. Cement in a plastic state is used to join the several meeting surfaces of the blocks, as in common masonry.

A partition, floor, or roof built in this manner-will be as strong and compact as a solid stone one, and to support afloor made of such blocks iron joists or wood beams need only be arranged at wide distances apart, while a roof/ formed of them might dispense with rafters, and one or two purlins be found sufficient for it.

By arranging the tongues or ribs 0 of the blocks 13 and O longitudinally in the centers of the faces of said blocks, the blocks may be utilized either edge uppermostthat is, they may be reversed, and be more readily utilized for different changes of position or'as substitutes for other blocks than would be practicable if said tongues or ribs were differently arranged. Furthermore, it should be observed that the tongues or ribs on the faces of the blocks constitute a most perfect bond throughout the whole wall or structure.

Figs. 5, 6, 7, and S of the drawings show substantially a similar. construction and arrangement of the blocks, excepting that the projections, tongues, or ribs 0 are made deeper,

' to form a thicker wall, and to leave ventilating or draining passages d (Z within or between the walls, and are also made with lips or shoulders e e on their opposite sides, toform weathering, and guides which facilitate the building and accuracy of construction by keeping the blocks in line. The blocks themselves may also,'if desired, .be made hollow, as shown in Fig. 5, 7, and S.

These improved blocks, whether constructed to make hollow or solid walls, flooring, or

roofing, will be found admirably adapted for building country villas, cottages, farm-houses, and work-shops and buildings made from them may be constructed cheaply, be fireproof, free from damp, and of a solid and neat external appearance. Said blocks, too, may be made perfectly smooth and true, and require no'external finish, and the building they are used in the-construction of be caused to presenttheappearancc of stone ashlar. I The ex- ,ternal sides or faces of the blocks may be varied by tinting with various colors, forming belt courses when desirable. They may be excepting in the principal rooms, when desired. Used for ceilings, no lathing is necessary, and one coat of plaster finish on the under side of the fioor, between the joists, will be sufficient, and the joists may be dressed and stained, or be cased with terra-cotta lumber.

By their use, likewise, for floors, flooringboards may be dispensed with, and oil-cloth or carpet may be laid on them. Drafts of air will also be excluded from passing through the joints, as the blocks,when laid and cemented,

will be equal to a solid piece of concrete. The exposed surfaces of the blocks may be made as smooth and clean as finished plastering could make them, and, used in the construction of entrance halls and passages, in:

eluding both walls and ceilings, said blocks maybe decorated in oil color, and their exposed surfaces be washed, when necessary, by

hose or otherwise, without either damaging them or the floor of the apartment or passage.

N o finish would be required for plain buildings, including factories, stables, and other structures.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An improved building-block having a slab-like form, and provided with a rib or tongue on one of its longitudinal sides, the

rib or tongue being of a length equal to the 9 thickness of the block, substantially as herein shown and described.

2. A building-block having a slab-like form, and provided on one of its longitudinal sides with a tongue or rib having shoulders e on opposite sides, substantially as herein shown and described.

3. In a wall, fioor, or other like structure, the combination of a series of slab-like blocks provided with longitudinal tongues having I00 shoulders on opposite sides, the shoulders being at a distance from the edge of the tongues equal to the thickness of the block, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby passages between the blocks will be formed.

THOMAS Ii. JOVETT.

Witnesses:

A. GREGORY, (3. Snnewrox. 

